Last updated at 12:34, Thursday, 15 October 2009

SIR – Further to the recent fatality and rescues around Whitehaven Harbour, in your reports on these events I note that all the rescue boats were from St Bees, Workington and Maryport.

to the rescue: Workington's all-weather lifeboat, Sir John Fisher, goes to the aid of a fishing vessel off Whitehaven in May

When someone falls into the sea they need to be rescued in minutes. In no way do I criticise the wonderful people of the rescue services but they are limited by the weather and sea conditions and the time it takes to get to Whitehaven.
Why is there no rescue boat at Whitehaven, the busy harbour on the Solway coast, with all the yachts, fishing boats and also the number of people walking on the piers and harbour?
The local people have just bought a new boat for St Bees. Why not have a collection for a boat at Whitehaven?
John WILSON
Monas View, Egremont
Post office has lost best service
SIR – I would like to say I went to the main post office in Whitehaven on Wednesday, October 7. As I entered I realised the corner shop was no longer there. So I had to wait 10 minutes in a queue. I was called to the counter and politely asked for an envelope and 1st class stamp for my letter. The lady replied: “I’m sorry we haven’t got any envelopes.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I replied: “A post office with no envelopes.” However the lady was happy to give me a 1st class stamp. I said: “What use is a stamp without an envelope?”
By taking away the corner shop, where the ladies gave an excellent service in a fraction of the time, they have taken away the best service, now everyone has to queue to post a letter.
Mr B DUNN
Buttermere Avenue, Whitehaven
Government gave us digital
SIR – In reply to Raymond Woodward and Tom’s posts last week, I do not recall any great outpouring of demand for HD TV on Freeview from the general public. It was stated from Freeview that “HD TV could be broadcast sometime in the future when sufficient bandwidth became available”. This would be very good if it does happen, but as Freesat only has two channels broadcasting HD, why should we expect Freeview to be any different?
It makes sense, therefore, that anyone “demanding” HD should go with Sky, where there are far more channels available. This is something I have vowed never to do.
As for Tom’s point about receiving a much better service in the future, where is the evidence for this? From the outset we have had a second rate service. A fraction of the channels available, and upon the latest retune losing two of the more watchable channels, only to be saddled with a repeat of ITV2 and the associated inane drivel that is broadcast on that station!
In my opinion, ITV2 & ITV2+1 should be dropped along with News 24, Parliament & Direct Gov and give us back ITV3 and ITV4 along with Five USA or Film4. Only then will we have a half decent service.
Don’t forget, it was the government who wanted to foist digital TV on us, so that it could sell off the analogue frequencies. It should be their responsibility to ensure we receive the service we deserve, but of course this will not happen. They offered no financial help to switch, but it is they who will reap the rewards when the time comes. As usual, we get ripped off, and the fat cats get richer.
S R SELKIRK
Address withheld
Proposed new restaurant
SIR – So Copeland’s planning officers are recommending that the planning panel give the go-ahead to convert the former wedding shop on Strand Street into a 72-seat restaurant – on what basis? Is it on the basis that Whitehaven needs another restaurant?
Whitehaven already has two established restaurants in the town centre, plus a Cantonese, an Italian and two Indian restaurants. Add to this 20 shops, 24 take-aways and numerous pubs offering meals at all times, then I think we have got it just about covered, food wise.
What we need is someone from the planning section to come out and explain the justification in allowing this proliferation of eateries in a town that is already suffering due to the downturn in retail opportunities.
Whitehaven is being marketed on the strengths of its Georgian and Maritime history, so do we really want to see it buried under a mountain of menus and placemats?
John MOONEY
West Cumbria
MP’s views on our dirty dogs
SIR – I have to wonder if anyone else was completely infuriated by Jamie Reed’s suggestions over dog fouling in Copeland.
Firstly, does our MP not have any more pressing issues which need to be addressed in our borough?
Secondly, I wonder if Mr Reed noticed that his desire to set up CCTV in order to catch those who allow their dogs to foul is, in fact, in direct contravention to current government actions. The Department for Communities and Local Government announced in February that it had written to local councils to ask them to ensure that surveillance powers were used “proportionately” and not for tackling minor offences such as dog fouling.
Thirdly, he said it himself, the proposed actions he outlined are “draconian”, a synonym for harsh, severe and pitiless. I can’t believe he would even suggest that someone who allows their dog to foul twice should have their animal taken off them. How can this be justified? Is the owner being cruel to or neglecting the animal in any way? Of course not. Reed has said himself that it’s never the dog’s fault, so my question is why is he proposing that we punish the animal?
I will admit that there is a problem in Whitehaven with dog fouling and it is not a pleasant thing, but Jamie Reed needs to realise that contradicting the government’s advice is a ridiculous thing. Also he has contradicted himself, which is equally ridiculous. Furthermore his proposals are impossible to enforce, constrict the few liberties which we have left and are completely out of proportion to the problem.
Alyson PRATT
Whitehaven

Public transport must improve
SIR – Mr Pickup’s firm response to my letter of September 30 about rail delays is, in a sense, perfectly correct, but remember that I did introduce my letter with a comment about “fundamental problems with public transport”.
Although it is not impossible to provide alternative transport in a situation where a serious delay to a train has a knock-on effect for services several hours later, it is sufficiently difficult to be unrealistic except in the most extreme circumstances. Buses have somewhat more flexibility, but a car has most, because you have better knowledge of the situation and potentially a variety of options for dealing with it.
For anybody who owns a car, in West Cumbria at least, public transport currently has only one advantage (you can let somebody else do the driving) and many disadvantages. The more effectively those disadvantages can be minimised, the more appealing the one advantage can appear.
David BRADBURY
Ramsey Drive, Parton
We must oppose N-waste site
SIR – With reference to the proposed nuclear waste site at Keekle Head near Pica, do the public realise that this French company called Endecom intends to make money at the expense of the local community?
We must rely on our local councillors to refuse planning permission for this site otherwise our children’s futures will be affected by a 50-year site. Also, the radioactivity will last for many years.
The site is too close to residential areas, also the transportation of this waste, some also from Drigg, will be coming through Whitehaven, Egremont, Bigrigg and Distington. This would be around 12 loads each day, which should be kept nearer to the place of origin.
We need to support each other in objecting to this proposal.
Margaret PENN
Pica Cottages, Pica

Whitehaven School Reunion
SIR – I have organised a school reunion night in Whitehaven for Saturday, October 24 for anyone who left Whitehaven School in 1992 (at Year 11) or 1994 (at Year 13).
We have approximately 40 guests confirmed so far due to publicising the event on Facebook and through word of mouth.
The night will start at 6.15pm in Shakers Bar, Duke Street, and guests can arrive anywhere between 6.15 and 7.45pm. We are able to have the venue to ourselves until 8pm.
Can anyone who wishes to attend please email me on lmsimpson1976@googlemail.com or call 01670 352431 and leave a message so I know who to expect on the night.
Leanne SIMPSON
Blyth, Northumberland
Bishop’s views on nuclear build
SIR – Radiation Free Lakeland would like to thank the 150 people who signed letters to the new Bishop of Carlisle on Saturday.
Many people came along specially, knowing that there was going to be an anti-nuclear presence outside Carlisle Cathedral and wanting to voice their concerns about Bishop James Newcome’s pro-nuclear build stance. More than 150 people (and rising) have written letters saying: “ Congratulations on your enthronement at Carlisle Cathedral. I was surprised to see your forthright endorsement of new nuclear power plants in Cumbria as ‘a green option for the future.’ I have two questions:
Will the Diocese of Carlisle consider listening to independent expert advice (not from pro-nuclear government or industry) on radiation risks of new build and geological disposal before making further pro-nuclear statements?
Will the Church of England in Cumbria be equally forthright in demanding a Radiation Linked Diseases Compensation Scheme for the general public in Cumbria?
That so many letters were signed in just two hours outside Carlisle Cathedral on the same day as the Bishop’s enthronement is an indication of the deep unease that Cumbrians have in the Church of England’s pro-nuclear stance.
Bishop James has said that his pro-nuclear remarks were made in response to the Churches Together in Cumbria Environment Group. This group seems to take its advice from industry and Government and has produced literature saying that “uranium is God’s gift to man”.
The industry and our pro-nuclear government cannot be relied on to give a true account of the impact of nuclear new-build in Cumbria and the impact that would have on indigenous people worldwide (who are campaigning to keep their uranium safely in the ground and to prevent existing and future nuclear waste being dumped on them).
Radiation Free Lakeland very much hopes that Bishop James Newcome will agree to meet with independent scientists.
Marianne BIRKBY
Radiation Free Lakeland
Milnthorpe

Thank you, says heritage group
SIR – On behalf of the Workington Heritage Group, I would like to thank all those who supported the Conrad Atkinson exhibition recently held at the Helena Thompson Museum,Workington.
Its success was due to the enthusiasm and drive of Conrad himself, who loaned a number of original works never previously exhibited; David Clarke of Tullie House Museum, Carlisle for the loan of Workington Steelworks; Charles Mitchell, Dean of the faculty of Art of Cumbria University for opening the exhibition and for the loan of The Beauty of Cleator Moor; Kevin Carr of West Lakes College for the loan of the panels No Compensation and also for his help and that of his staff in setting up the exhibition. Thanks are also due to Arts Council England for their financial support.
Thanks are due to the staff and volunteers who made the exhibition launch night one to remember, when the building was packed with art lovers from all over the county. It was a major coup for a small town museum to be able to display work of such international importance.
Sheila RICHARDSON
Company Secretary, Workington Heritage Group Ltd
Mustn’t grumble
SIR – I very much agree with Alan Alexander in that ‘only a negative spin creates news for the front page’ (Letters, October 8). But may I also add that sometimes there seems to be an excess of complaining and general negativity on the letters page. Wouldn’t it be better when there is genuine cause to complain to write to the relevant authority? For example, the Highways Department regarding traffic problems. But maybe the writers have done so, as well as contacted The Whitehaven News. I hope so, even if it doesn’t change things! And some of us lose the will to live when we spot a very long letter!
I suppose this is a complaining letter...
Margaret COLLINSON
Sellafield Road, Beckermet

First published at 15:48, Wednesday, 14 October 2009
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk